Gentlemen: Tony Campbell (left) takes over at the helm of the Rás from Dermot Dignam
An Post Rás route director, Tony Campbell is to assume responsibility for the organisation of the eight-day event following the news that the incumbent Dermot Dignam is to retire after decades at the helm.
Campbell’s promotion into the top job comes as part of a reshuffle of personnel at Ireland’s biggest and best race. The changes will come into effect in the next few weeks.
“It’s the next logical step to a process we started two years ago” Dignam said in a statement.
“We very successfully set up a working group with a view to attracting younger people into the race organisation and now with the benefit of experience they are ready to assume greater responsibility”.
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Campbell’s promotion to the post of race director represents a seamless transition as he has been Dignam’s right hand man on the race for many years.
A well known and well liked figure on the domestic scene, Campbell’s promotion will be welcomed by all.
Dignam’s departure very much marks the end of an era in which the Rás thrived through difficult financial times in Ireland. Under his leadership the race has grown into an internationally respected fixture with professional teams but somehow has maintained its unique Irish character. It still represents the biggest challenge in the careers of the vast majority of Irish riders competing for domestic and foreign teams today.
Eddie Dawson will continue in his key post of arranging accommodation for all teams and officials, he will also fill the role of assistant race organiser.
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Former Rás stage winner and international rider, Stephen O’Sullivan has designed the route of the race in recent years and he will now take over from Campbell as route director.
Brona O’Sullivan stays on as team liaison officer, putting in place the international field that takes to the start line every year.
Seamus Domegan’s responsibilities include organising stage start and finish towns.
Eimear Dignam will be in charge of race publications and most of the administrative work. Health and safety consultant Kieran McIntyre heads up that area, with Aiden Harper as the race safety officer.
In keeping with the tradition the race has been built on down the years, all of those posts remain voluntary.
Stickybottle – with a team that has ridden the race, followed it for many years and covered it for the first time this year - would like to wish Tony Campbell and his team the very best of luck in the future.
We think we speak for everyone in Irish cycling in offering our sincere thanks and best wishes to Dermot and his family for giving the home scene such a fantastic race. It’s a credit to him that he hands it over in such rude health and that his will be such big shoes to fill.
We wish him the very best in the years ahead and we’ll catch up with him in the next few days for an interview.
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